Hair clipper with adjustable auxiliary comb



HAIR CLIPPER WITH ADJUSTABLE AUXILIARY COMB Filed Feb. 12, 1955 J. MERZON March 1, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOSEPH MERZON ATORNEY.

March 1966 J. MERZON 237,34

HAIR CLIPPER WITH ADJUSTABLE AUXILIARY COMB Filed Feb. 12, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR J OSEPH MERZON TTORNE Y.

March 1, 1966 J. MERZON 3,237,304

HAIR CLIPPER WITH ADJUSTABLE AUXILIARY COMB Filed Feb. 12, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENTOR. JOSEPH MERZON 0 A'FTORNEY.

March 1966 J. MERZQN 3237,34

HAIR CLIPPER WITH ADJUSTABLE AUXILIARY COMB Filed Feb. 12, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH MERZON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,237,304 HAIR CLIPPER WITH ADJUSTABLE AUXILIARY COMB Joseph Merzon, Brookline, Mass. Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 438,164 4 Claims. (Cl. 30-201) This present application is a continuation-in-part of Serial Number 347,072 filed February 19, 1964, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of Serial Number 242,987, filed December 7, 1962, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a hairclipper including an adjustable auxiliary com-b which enables the user to cut hair to a desired length.

The invention comprises generally a conventional hairclipper, preferably electric, in combination with an adjustable auxiliary comb. The auxiliary comb is positioned exteriorly to the combs of the hairclipper and is supported by an elongated frame mounted on the body of the clipper by means permitting movement to selective longitudinal positions. In its preferred form, there are also means provided for selectively tilting the frame about a transverse axis.

The clipper is of conventional construction, having an exterior fixed comb and an interior moveable comb. The accessory comb is positioned so that its teeth face generally upward, as do the teeth of the fixed and moveable combs of the clipper, and is adjustable as to its distance from the fixed comb and also inone form as to its height with respect to the clipper comb. The accessory comb is characterized in that it has a plurality of teeth the height of which is generally somewhat greater than the height of the teeth of the fixed comb, with the spacing between the teeth of the auxiliary comb being substantially greater than the space between the teeth of the fixed comb, and the overall width being essentially similar.

In one form of this invention the adjustable means for supporting the auxiliary comb is attached to the body of the hairclipper and comprises generally a pair of tubular members pivotally mounted on each side of the clipper body, a frame member including a pair of rods slidably mounted in the tubular members and extending through the tubular members to support the auxiliary comb. The frame member has a cross-piece between the two rods, there being a spring along each rod extending between the cross-piece and the tubular members.

The frame member is further supported by a threadable vertical member which extends through the cross-piece and cooperates with an upper adjustable nut. The lower portion of this threadable member is attached to a member which slides on a longitudinal strip attached to the body of the clipper. The springs on the frame member tend to cause the frame member to rise, and hence the auxiliary comb to fall with respect to the fixed comb of the clipper. The upper nut permits the locking of a wide variety of tilted, generally vertical positions for the auxiliary comb. The longitudinal positions of the auxiliary comb are achieved by sliding the entire frame member along the strip. Because of the upward thrust of the springs, no special retaining means is needed to retain the longitudinal position along the strip.

A specific embodiment of this form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 17 of the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view with the auxiliary comb below and adjacent to the fixed comb and clipper.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view with the auxiliary comb in a position close to the fixed comb and slightly above.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the device where the auxiliary comb is in a laterally extended position.

FIG. 4 is a plan View of the device, and

FIG. 5 is a partial bottom view.

FIG. 6 is an upper side view showing a diiferent comb.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the FIGS. l7 of the drawing, the embodiment illustrated therein comprises a conventional electric hairclipper having a body portion 11, an electric cord 12, an exterior fixed comb 13, and an interior moveable comb 14. Tubular members 17 and 18 are mounted on pivots 19 and 20 on the sides of the body 11.

The frame member 10 comprises rod sections 15 and 16, which are slideably supported by tubular members 17 and 18 respectively, and a cross-piece 29. The rod sections 15 and 16 extend through the tubular members 17 and 18, terminating in bent end portions 15a connected with the bracket 31 on which the auxiliary comb 32 is mounted. Along the rod sections 15 and 16 between the tubular supports 17 and 18 and the cross-piece 29 are springs 21 and 22.

On the upper face of the body 11 is a longitudinal strip 24 supported by attaching members 25 and 26. A slide member 27 is provided, which is moveable along the strip 24 and supports a generally upwardly positioned threaded rod 28, which passes through the cross-piece 29 and is engaged by upper adjustable locking nut 30.

The auxiliary comb 32 has teeth 33, which are substantially more widely spread than the teeth of clipper comb 13, and also somewhat higher. When the top line of the teeth 33 is below the top line of the comb 13, the clipper generally operates in a conventional manner for close cutting. When the top line of the teeth 33 is in line with the top of the comb 13, or above it, the hairlength regulating action of the auxiliary comb is present. Generally, the line of the bottom of the teeth 33 should not be substantially above the line of the bottom of the teeth of comb 13.

In FIGURES 6 and 7, an auxiliary comb 40 is used which has flatter teeth 41. The bracket 42 holds the comb 40 to the frame member.

In operation, the user slides the. frame for lateral spacing and turns the nut for vertical spacing. Inasmuch as the frame is generally angular with respect to the line of the body of the clipper, the springs 21 and 22 are generally sufficient to maintain both the lateral and vertical positions which are selected. It can thus be said that in this form of the invention there is complete variability possible as to the desired lateral or vertical spacing of the auxiliary comb with respect to the fixed comb. Clippers which have been previously described as meeting the objectives of this present invention have failed to provide the variable positioning provided by this form of the present invention.

In a second form of this invention, the adjustable means for supporting the auxiliary comb comprises an open main frame member adapted for fixed attachment to the clipper body. Pivotally attached to either side of this main frame is a rectangular open comb frame supporting the auxiliary comb at one end and having means cooperable with a threadable member at the other end. The threadable member extends through the rear of the main frame and cooperates with means for rotating and means for selectively adjusting its height-wise position. This assembly is characterized as being cooperable with a conventional clipper by simply substituting the assembly for the bottom plate of a conventional clipper. This form of the invention provides selected controllable spacings of the auxiliary comb from the fixed comb and also controllable selected height-wise adjustment of the auxiliary comb with respect to the fixed comb.

A specific embodiment of this third form of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 8, 9, 10, ll, 12 and 13 of the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the attachment assembly in position on a conventional electric clipper with the auxiliary comb at its highest and furthest location from the combs of the clipper.

FIG. 9 is a side view with partial cutaway of the assembly of FIG. 8 showing the auxiliary comb in its furthest but intermediate height position with respect to the clipper combs.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 8 showing the controls in position for minimum height and furthest extended position.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the attachment assembly looking in from the open side with partial cutaway.

FIG. 12 is a partial plan view of the underneath portion of the conventional clipper, which has its cover plate removed, and to which the assembly of FIG. 11 is invertedly attached.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal median section of the attachrnent assembly showing the controls and auxiliary comb in their lowest vertical position with respect to the clipper combs, with three longitudinal positions being illustrated.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 through 13, the embodiment illustrated therein comprises a conventional electric clipper 201 having outside and inside combs 202 and 203. The normal upper plate of this clipper 201 has been removed and the comb assembly 300 substituted. The comb assembly comprises an open main frame member 301 which has a top covering portion 301a, side wall portions 301b, a rear vertical portion 301a and a rear plate portion 302. Member 301 is hollow and is attached by screw 331 through orifice 331a into threaded orifice 206 of the main clipper body 201. Portion 302 is attached through orifice 332a to threaded hole 207 in the clipper body 201 by screw 332.

' The rear vertical portion 3010 of the comb main frame 301 has a vertical slot 313 through which protrudes a smooth rod 314 terminating in an enlarged threaded portion 311. A washer 312 is spaced on the interior face of 3010. The other side of rod 314 terminates in a transverse stop rod 327 moveable in slots 329 and 330 in handle 325. A spring 328 around rod 314 is spaced between the stop rod 327 and forward end of handle 325 and serves to return handle 325 to locking position. The handle 325 has a circular flat member 326. A retainer portion 321 having wings 321a and 3211) holding prongs 322 and 323 serves to lock the handle 325 in selected vertical positions 315, 316 and 317 by means of its slot 324 in which member 326 is located.

Rotation of handle 325 rotates threaded member 311. Likewise, motion upward or downward of handle 325 into a locking position will cause threaded member 311 to rise or fall. The threaded member 311, which is threadably connected to the comb frame 303 through a transverse threaded sleeve 304, controls the vertical and longitudinal position of the auxiliary comb 310.

The rectangular comb frame 303 is pivotally connected to the assembly frame 301 by pins 307 and 308 which extend through longitudinal slots 305 and 306. The comb frame 303 can thus be tilted on the 307-308 axis and slid along the slots 305 and 306.

In the illustrated embodiment there are three vertical positions and three longitudinal positions of the comb 310 with respect to the clipper combs 202 and 203. Auxiliary comb 310 can, be adjusted or replaced in its position by. means of screw 309. Marks 1, 2 and 3 correspond to selected lon itudinal positions as illustrated in FIG. 9 of the longitudinal position of comb 310. A sharp point 310a serves as the indicator.

I claim:

1. The combination of a hair clipper and an adjustable auxiliary comb; said clipper having a body, a fixed comb and a moveable comb; said auxiliary comb being positioned exteriorly to said fixed comb and supported by a frame member; said frame member being supported by tubular members pivotally mounted on the body and by an upright member whose base is slideably mounted on said body; said frame member comprising a pair of rods extending through said tubular members and terminating in means for attaching to said auxiliary comb, said frame member including a portion engageable with said upright member and with a locking member for said upright member; resilient means being provided between said tubular members and said frame member.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a spring Wound around a said rod and held between a said tubular portion and a portion of said frame member.

3. The combination of a hair clipper and adjustable auxiliary comb; said clipper having a body, a fixed comb and. a movable comb; said auxiliary comb being supported exteriorly to said clipper combs by a frame member; said frame member comprising an open frame member pivotally connected to means slidable in the sides of said body and threadably engaging one end of a control rod; said control rod extending through a transverse wall supported on said body and terminating in means for selectively rotating said rod in either direction and means for moving said rod transversely; rotation of said rod in one direction resulting in longitudinal motion of said frame member in an opposite direction to that caused by rotation of said of said rod in the opposite direction.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said transverse wall has a vertical slot through which said rod extends and also spaced orifices; the outer side of said rod terminating in a transverse stop rod moveable in the slots of a handle member having longitudinal slots; said handle member having an inner substantially fiat terminal protrusion; said protrusion being spaced in the grip of a jaw-like member. having rear protrusions engageable with said orifices; said rod extending centrally through said jawlike member and through said terminal protrusion; spring means being provided between said transverse stop rod and said handle member; rotation of said handle member serving to rotate said threaded connection of said rod with said frame and thus provide longitudinal movement; pulling of said control handle together with said transverse stop rod causing said jaw-like member to be disengaged from said orifices and thus permit reinsertion in other orifices.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 530,984 12/ 1 894 Bechstedt 30201 1,713,369 5/1929 Borrmann 30-201 2,214,069 9/ 1940 Sikora 30-201 2,802,263 8/1957 Marchner 30201 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

J. C. PETERS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION OF A HAIR CLIPPER AND AN ADJUSTABLE AUXILIARY COMB; SAID CLIPPER HAVING A BODY, A FIXED COMB AND A MOVEABLE COMB; SAID AUXILIARY COMB BEING POSITIONED EXTERIORLY TO SAID FIXED COMB AND SUPPORTED BY A FRAME MEMBER; SAID FRAME MEMBER BEING SUPPORTED BY TUBULAR MEMBERS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE BODY AND BY AN UPRIGHT MEMBER WHOSE BASE IS SLIDEABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BODY; SAID FRAME MEMBER COMPRISING A PAIR OF RODS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS AND TERMINATING IN MEANS FOR ATTACHING TO SAID AUXILIARY COMB, SAID FRAME MEMBER INCLUDING A PORTION ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID UPRIGHT MEMBER AND WITH A LOCKING MEMBER FOR SAID UPRIGHT MEMBER; RESILIENT MEANS BEING PROVIDED BETWEEN SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS AND SAID FRAME MEMBER. 